Seminar "Byzantine Hoplomachia of the Early Period", Athens, April 3 2016

On Sunday, April 3, 2016 was held for the Association of Historical Studies KORYVANTES the seminar entitled "Byzantine Hoplomachia of the early period" by the trainer of Classical & Historical Fencing and trainer of the Association Mr. George Georgas. Our members were trained in close combat techniques of the straight and lancet type of "paramirion" sword, combat engage against more than 3 opponents, "paramirion" sword techniques (lancet/straight) and "cheiroskoutarion" shield (buckler shield) against spears. The trainees had the chance to observe the differences with the "paramirion" sword of the late Byzantine period where the weapon had been replaced by the Byzantine saber sword , while also been trained on the latest. The session ended with a duel with these weapons between Mr George Georgas and his student Mr Ioannis Tzamalis. After the seminar, our members continued their training following a session in traditional archery.

Participation in the first Polish Flying Shooting Competition at Borzewisko / Poland , April 12 2014

After the kind invitation from the Polish community of Traditional Archery and the distinguished bowmaker and host Mr. Lukasz Nawalny, the member of our Association Mr. Spyros Bakas, participated in the 1st Polish "Flying Shooting" Contest which took place on Saturday April 12, 2014 at Borzewisko in Central Poland.

The tournament "1 na Strzelania Odległość Turniej Ogólnopolski Flight" garnered the attentions of some of the best Polish archers who participated in the contest while testing a series of new bows and arrows, which were specifically made for the event.

"ARMAE" Organisation article on Association of Historical Studies "KORYVANTES"

The Association of Historical Studies "Koryvantes"  would like to thank the French company Armae, one of the largest worldwide companies supplying re-enactors, for extensive complimentary article on the activities and work of our Association.

The "ARMAE", based in Lyons, with over ten years experience in the field of equipment of historical re-enactment, promotes high quality copies of ancient Greek, Roman, Renaissance, Medieval weapons and equipment, under the technical guidance of archaeologists and historical consultants.

“KORYVANTES” represent Hellenic Traditional Archery in the “Gümüşhacıköy 2013” International Festival , June 22-23 2013 in Amasya/Turkey

After our very successful presentation in Istanbul "Necmeddin Okyay" Festival  the “Koryvantes” archers continued their successful appearances in the Pontic Amasya /Turkey.  The Archery team of the Koryvantes Association of Historical Studies participated in the International Traditional Archery contest that took place in the homeland of the Ancient Geographer Stabo in 22-23 June 2013.

The competition helded in the city of Gümüşhacıköy under the auspice of the Turkish Traditional Archery Federation , in a specially prepared location at the foothills of the Canik Mountain. The local authorities also strived to make the life of the contestants as easy as possible.

Representing for once more the Greek Traditional Archery , our archers made again good impression in an event that gathered the attention of the International Traditional Archery community. By using reconstructed equipment and bows of high historical accuracy standards presented again in International event 33 centuries of  Greek Martial and MilitaryTradition from early antiquity to late medieval period.

The high level of the competition did not prevented our archers to stand their ground between 350 contestants. Kostas Papantoniou & Spyros Bakas managed to gather high ranks in special categories.

Athletes from 25 Turkish Traditional Archery Clubs and 200 athletes from 18 countries attended with their traditional costumes and armour. Countries with long archery traditions like Korea, Mongolia, China and Hungary were present, while new uprising powers like Bulgaria, Malaysia, Poland and Taiwan made their appearance .

Continuing our experimental research on the usability of our reconstructed equipment , our archers managed to draw useful conclusions. Archer Giannis Tsilikis successfully reconstructed the late Byzantine Navy Marins from Laconia and Crete. Archer Evangellos Voggelis revives the legend of the Argonauts as he managed to shoot with a reconstructed armor from the late Bronze Age. Archer Vladimiros Gavakis reconstructed an officer of the Great Komnenoi and validated our conclusions from the Istanbul contest.

Our Association’s participation in the contest was once more for us a chance to see old friends and make new ones. It was also a valuable opportunity for our members to gain international experience and meet the latest developments in the Traditional Archery Community.

Our Association would like to thank Mr. Hussametin Aydin, responsible for organizing the Festival , and our good friends Eren Kalinbacak, Metin Ates and Yasar Metin for their endless support and encouragement.

Association of Historical Studies KORYVANTES

KORYVANTES in Istanbul, June 15-16 2013 . Participation in the International Traditional Archery Festival " Necmeddin Okyay”

The Official Banner of the Festival

The Traditional Archery Team of the Association of Historical Studies “Koryvantes” successfully participated with 14-member mission to the International Traditional Archery Contest "Necmeddin Okyay" that was held in Istanbul between 15 and 16 June 2013. Our members represented our country in a Pan-European cultural event showing the age old Hellenic Archery Tradition.

The "Necmeddin Okyay" Traditional Archery Festival is organized by the TALIMHANE Archery Institute (TALİMHANE OKÇULUK ENSTİTUSU)  and the municipality of Uskudar. The contest which is is already one of the most popular Traditional Archery Festivals in Europe , took place in a big stadium of the beautiful Istanbul suburb . Archer friends from Rumania, Georgia, Russia, Hungary, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland and other countries participated in this great celebration of Traditional Archery, culture and National Traditions.

Our Archer Evangelos Vongellis celebrating his victory, after he had won the Special Archery Contest

The impressive participation of our Association’s members got very nice comments both from the participants and the organizers and by being the center of attention from the Mass Media of the neighboring country. Our archers carrying high standard and historically accurate equipment demonstrated re-enacted archers from the Mycenaean Era , to the Late Byzantium and held high the Flag of Greek Tradition thus demonstrating the old Archery Heritage of out Nation.

The first day we participated in a parade of all missions at the coast of Bosporus. Under the sound of our battle horn alongside the other archers we shot our arrows –upon whish peace messages had been inscribed- into the sea. Our Association also received from the governor of Istanbul Mr. Mustapha Karra a commemorative plaque for our participation in the event as well as his compliments.

The " KORYVANTES" Traditional Archery Team , in Istanbul 

The contest took place on Sunday 16^th of June. The archers shot at distances ranging from 7 to 70 meters. The contest also for the first time shooting from cover thus simulating fortification defenses action. All of our archer were in the first 70 among 170 contestants and more specifically Spyros Bakas got the 10th place, Giannis Tsilikis the 14^th place, Kostas Papantoniou the 19^th place and Aristodemos Nikiteas the 38^th place. In the especial shooting contest our Archer Evangellos Voggelis in a straight shot from the 30 meters won the honorary price of one golden Turkish pound while competing against world-class champions, thus demonstrating in the best possible way the dynamism of our members.

For our Association this was also a chance to perform Experimental Archaeology tests in a series of reconstructed armor and archery techniques thus drawing useful conclusion for our research that will be published in our future Association’s studies

For all our members it was a very valuable experience and a good chance to be in the great Family of International Traditional Archery and also to understand our responsibility to continue the proud representation of Hellenic Traditional Archery abroad.

We thank Mr. Adnan Mehel and all archer friends and organizers of the Talimhane institute for their hospitality and the splendid organization of this Festival.

Association of Historical Studies "KORYVANTES"

Our Archer Spyros Bakas infront of the 40m target.

The " KORYVANTES" Traditional Archery Team , in Istanbul 

The " KORYVANTES" Traditional Archery Team while parading in the Bosporus coast

The " KORYVANTES" Traditional Archery Team while parading in the Bosporus coast

Members of our Traditional Archery Team while Shooting arrows in the Bosporus.

Governor of Istanbul giving a commemorative plaque to our Team

Our Archer Kostas Papantoniou

" KORYVANTES" Traditional Archery Team while shooting during the contest

The Host.  Mr Adnan Mehel speaking to the contestants for the oppening ceremony.

Our Archer Vladimiros Gavakis with his heavy Byzantine Armour , representing a warrior of the Late Byzantine era.

Our Archer Aristodemos Nikiteas infront of the 30m target

Our Archer Giannis Tsilikis shooting in the special contest

Our Archers during the warm up session

Our Archer Lykourgos Balodimos

Our Archer Kostas Papantoniou

"KORYVANTES" Archers shooting in the 40m distance

Archers from Turkey

Archer from Romania

Champion Lakaton Istvan receiving his winning cup

Our Archer Giorgos Kanakaris infront of the 70m target

Our Archer Kostas Kourkoulis shooting in the special contest

Our Archers in the motion -shooting target

Our Archers in the hide -shooting target

View from the Shooting area

Two great friends of our Association, Mr Adnan Mehel, and Mr Eren Kalinbacak

Mr Adnan Mehel in the closing ceremony

Memmorial Photo of the foreighn team-participants

" KORYVANTES " Archery Team Banner